FALL IS HERE!
photo by Hutch Stilgenbauer models: Nicole and Alexis Wendt
beautiful me
CHANGE, CHANGE, By Nadia Virjee
As we gear into fall, many beauty trends that are popping up hint towards dark purples and smoky grays, to vibrant violets and midnight black hues. As Sephora.com would say it’s “all about the power look”. Fall is a time where you have the ability to change from that bronze look of summer to an elegant, graceful look of fall. Fashion trends change season by season, and so should your makeup. This year it is about looking sophisticated and sexy, all at the same time. One of the worse misconceptions about fall is that many think of dimmer days and gloomy nights, but with your beauty accessories, looks can be deceiving. The biggest trend for this season is light and airy makeup, which keeps your face fresh, combined with dark luscious lips and tantalizing nail polishes that keep the focus on you. Many cosmetics lines are showing this off by releasing lighter colors, while mixing a mystifying tint to it. Opi.com, one of the most popular brands of nail color, has announced their line called the “France Collection” which they describe as “rich, sensuous inspired by… effortless elegance…” The names range from fabulously flirty colors like “Tickle my France-y” to sexy classy colors like “Eiffel for this Color” which proves the line to be a match for everyone.With trends changing as much as day-to-day, you can customize your beauty-wear by making it your own. Flattering fall makeup can be anything from bold and soft shades merging to make one dynamic expression of color. Remember, a daring lip puts your face forward. um
82 URBANMAINSTREAM.com OCT 2008
The Truth About
Success:
Women and Professional Dress in the Workplace
By Randi Krasny
Women’s magazines like Vogue, Cosmopolitan, etc. have set unrealistic expectations for young women and work attire. The use of bias opinions from experts like Rachel Zoe whose claim to fame includes dressing up the early stardom of “celebrities” such as Nicole Ritchie and Paris Hilton (I rest my case) have highlighted “trends” and aimed their advice toward co-workers at Vogue, not college graduates. Young women transitioning from college into professional careers have more competition today, than in previous years. Recent economic slow downs and companies cutting back on jobs make it important to have a competitive edge over others. Job experience and education is valuable to employers, but appearance and dress increases one’s potential fit for a job! Yes, looks matter and I went to the “business peeps”, so to speak, to get a variety of real-life opinions about looking the part and playing the part in the workplace. Unlike the 80’s power suit (thank goodness!), today’s woman have the choice of wearing pants one day and skirts on others, depending on the activities and weather at work. A big misconception is that wearing a skirt ensures one is “dressed up” and therefore gives a better impression at work. Ellie Couch, a recent graduate from Southern Methodist University (SMU) and employee for t:m advertising (Dallas, Tx) has accommodated her dress to one that is conservative, but not over the top. “One should always dress for the position they would like to have rather than the one they currently have.” Ellie adds that working in advertising the attire can be more relaxed, but that she tries not to take advantage of the jean or casual shirt options too often. “When it comes to an outfit at work, I think the deciding factor is whether or not you would wear that to a lunch with your old fashioned, conservative grandmother.” Ellie’s wardrobe consists of functional and basic clothing pieces that are perfect for her work environment. “I wear navy or black pants/slacks or any colored shirt that doesn’t show cleavage and is not spaghetti strapped including a variety of strappy shoes and heels, which are always acceptable.” Today, “dressing up” depends a lot on the work environment, and Ellie is on target for her industry. However in some industries like Film and Television, it’s better to dress down.